Introducing the Springfield Armor of the NBA D-League

Republican photo by MARK M. MURRAYMichael Savit, principal owner of the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League, unveils the team name and logo at the MassMutual Center in Springfield Tuesday, June 30, 2009.

"The NBA drafts only 60 players. The rest of the world is eligible," Savit said Tuesday, after the NBA Development League's name and logo were introduced Tuesday at the MassMutual Center.

The name "Armor," which refers to the Springfield Armory's role in American history, won an online fan survey that attracted more than 1,000 voters.

A logo of an armored individual, holding a basketball was produced by Springfield-based Six-Point Creative Works.

On Monday, the NBA announced the Springfield team would be affiliated with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks.

Most D-League teams have one or two NBA affiliations. Having three will help stock the Armor's roster with players hoping to compete for spots on Atlantic Division teams that are familiar Springfield fans.

Savit also expects the Armor to play the D-League's new Portland team eight or 10 times over a 50-game schedule. Portland will be affiliated with the Boston Celtics.

Even three NBA teams won't fill an entire D-League roster. Savit said the results of last week's NBA Draft left many good players in the unclaimed talent pool.

"A lot of good players from UMass, UConn, and Boston College were not drafted," he said. "If they play in our league, we want them to play for us.

"I wouldn't say I was happy these players were not chosen, but there are certainly people out there who would interest us."

One is Tony Gaffney, the former University of Massachusetts forward who will play for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Summer League. The Lakers have not signed Gaffney to a contract. If his Summer League play fails to impress them sufficiently, the Armor is interested.

Gaffney has other options, though. He has already received several lucrative offers from teams in Europe, if he does not sign with an NBA team.

If a player feels he's on the brink of an NBA career, though, he might opt for the D-League.

The league pays modestly, with a ceiling of about $25,000 per player. It is the NBA's minor league, though, and therefore offers excellent exposure to NBA scouts.

Unlike the European leagues, the D-League offers players a chance to earn promotion to the NBA in midseason.

Armor general manager Alex Schwerin said league rules encourage placing players of local interest on local teams.

"Our draft is in early November. Before the draft, though, we can try to request guys of local significance," Schwerin said. "If (Gaffney) winds up in the pool, we will get him."

Former UMass forward Gary Forbes played for Tulsa last season. Whether he would return to the D-League is unknown.

If he did, the Armor would have to acquire his rights, Savit said.

"We could trade for him," Savit said. "And we would definitely be interested in having Gary play here."

The D-League schedule will be announced within two weeks. Savit said it looks likely the Armor's first game will be at the MassMutual Center, its home arena Nov. 27. He said the Armor might also play at home the following night, giving Springfield two home games over Thanksgiving weekend.